Wisdom comes from the Word, a living entity that has great power. The Word speaks to us so that we will know God. The Christian Bible is a collection of stories, historical accounts, parables and lessons that document God’s interaction with us humans. Interestingly, it also is called the Living Word of God.
God’s Word is alive at work, sharply cutting both ways, to separate our every thought and action, exposing them to critical evaluation, thereby revealing the true motives of our heart. [Hebrews 4:12 ]
Reading the Bible to discover what God wants to say to us, and to find answers to our questions, we must actually ask God to speak to us. He will not violate our free will, he waits for our permission.
Watch for me, I will come to your door and knock, If you hear me and invite me in, I will enter and we will share our food and eat together. [Revelation 3:20]
We must be willing to listen with an open mind and humble attitude. Sometimes, I have to pray for willingness because I can be very stubborn. Sometimes our self-importance is like a massive wall that blocks us from the sunlight of the spirit. When that is the case, we stand in shadow and delusion.
When you are in the light, nothing is obscured, the brightness will illuminate everything and you will see. [Luke 11:36]
If you approach Bible reading this way, amazing insights will come to you about your personal life and about what God wants for you. Keep it simple, let God do the work. Do not set out to to logically conclude truths with your own intellect. Come to God with a humble attitude. God is the master, we are his servants.
Believe God instead of your own reasoning then wherever you go, he will guide you. Do not be conceited in your intelligence . [Proverbs 3:5-7]
If I ask questions, God answers and explains. At times, God has given me the insight instantly. Other times, I have had to experience more of life to be able to understand the answers. “Be careful what you ask for” is the oft repeated phrase that comes to mind. The lessons we have to learn, in order to understand, can be painful. Though the price we pay is far less than the value of what we receive, in fact, unimaginably so.
So before you study the Bible, ask God to open your mind and make you willing to hear what he has to tell you. When I struggle with being humble, I read Job, chapter 38.
“Can you order the clouds to send a downpour, or will lightning flash at your command? Did you teach birds to know that rain or floods are on their way? Can you count the clouds or pour out their water on the dry, lumpy soil? … And when starving young ravens cry out to me for food, do you satisfy their hunger?” [Job 38:34-41]
It is a great lesson in humility which comes when we see ourselves in comparison to God.
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